t was
perceived in the character of Charles. Most persons who act improperly,
as I have said before, endeavour to find an excuse for their conduct, and
he formed no exception to the rule. His apology for his parsimony was,
that he was saving every pound he could accumulate to help pay for his
college education when he should be sent thither. A poor, shallow
excuse, for his mother often assured him how little he needed such mean
precaution, and entreated him to spend his money with proper liberality.
Mrs. Sidney so often shed tears on his account, that no one in the house
was much surprised to see her weeping on one important occasion.

Charles was at this time about fifteen, when, entering his mother's
morning room somewhat suddenly, he found her in tears, with an open
letter in her hand, which Charles in a moment remarked had a black border
and a black seal.

"What is the matter, mamma?" said he "is any one we know dead?"

"Yes, Charles," she replied; "I am sorry to say three relations, whom,
though you may have heard of, you have never seen, have been suddenly
removed from this world by the upsetting of a boat in which they had gone
on a pleasure excursion."

"Not Lord Sereton and his sons?" exclaimed Charles, clasping his hands,
while an expression of anything but sorrow passed over his countenance.

"Yes, Charles," replied Mrs. Sidney, after a moment's pause, "I am sorry
to say they are no more."

"Sorry, mamma," shrieked the youth, in a voice of gaiety that,
considering the circumstances, was horrible. "_Sorry_, mamma, why then I
. . . I . . . am . . ."

"Yes, _you_ are Lord Sereton now."

"And shall I have all the money, mamma, and the houses, and that
beautiful park which I once went to see, and the carriages, and the
horses, and the--the--all the beautiful things? Oh, yes, I shall, I know
I shall. I am so glad--I am so happy. Lord Sereton was only papa's
third cousin, I know, but I am the next heir."

"And do you feel no shock"--said Mrs. Sidney, rising and laying her hand
on her son's shoulder, while she spoke almost with a shudder;--"do you
feel no shock at the awful sudden deaths of three estimable
individuals--no compassion for the bereaved widow and mother? and, beyond
all, do you not feel deeply conscious of the additional responsibilities
and the heavy duties which become yours with this accession of wealth and
rank? Oh, Charles, it is hard for a mother to wish such a thing for a
son, y